Julabo F500 Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Julabo F500 Circulating Chiller is a precision-engineered, air-cooled thermal management system designed for stable, continuous temperature control in laboratory and analytical applications. Based on vapor-compression refrigeration using a single-stage hermetic compressor and R134a refrigerant, the F500 delivers consistent cooling performance across a wide operational range of −10 to +40 °C. Its compact footprint (37.5 × 44 × 59 cm) and integrated design eliminate the need for external condenser units or water supply infrastructure—making it ideal for benchtop integration with spectrophotometers, laser systems, rotary evaporators, ICP-OES/MS peripherals, and other heat-sensitive instrumentation. The unit operates continuously under ambient conditions from 5 to 40 °C and maintains temperature stability within ±0.5 °C via digital PID control with 0.1 °C resolution, ensuring high reproducibility in time-sensitive or long-duration experiments.

Key Features

• Air-cooled refrigeration architecture eliminates dependency on facility chilled water or external cooling towers—reducing installation complexity and operational overhead.
• High-efficiency single-stage compressor optimized for low-noise operation (≤62 dB[A]) and energy-conscious laboratories; R134a refrigerant complies with current EU F-Gas Regulation thresholds for servicing and leak-checking protocols.
• Dual-conical hose fittings included as standard: one each for 8 mm and 12 mm inner-diameter flexible tubing, compatible with common peristaltic and silicone-based circulation lines.
• Transparent reservoir with integrated level indicator enables real-time monitoring of coolant volume (5–7.5 L capacity); fill port and drain valve facilitate rapid media exchange or maintenance.
• Pump delivers stable flow up to 24 L/min at 0.5 bar pressure head—sufficient to overcome typical backpressure from coiled heat exchangers, jacketed reactors, or multi-port distribution manifolds.
• LED display with intuitive keypad interface supports precise setpoint entry, real-time temperature readout, and status alerts (e.g., low-level, overtemperature, or pump failure).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The F500 accommodates a broad range of heat-transfer fluids—including deionized water, aqueous glycol mixtures (up to 50% v/v ethylene or propylene glycol), and certified thermal oils compatible with stainless steel wetted parts (reservoir, pump housing, and internal tubing). All fluid-contact surfaces meet ISO 8502-3 cleanliness standards for laboratory-grade metal components. While the chiller itself does not require regulatory certification as a medical device or process-critical utility, its thermal stability and repeatability support compliance with GLP and GMP environments when used as ancillary equipment. Documentation includes CE marking per 2014/30/EU (EMC Directive) and 2014/68/EU (PED Annex II Group 1 Fluid classification for R134a), along with RoHS 2011/65/EU conformity statements.

Software & Data Management

The F500 operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded data logging or remote connectivity. However, its analog 0–10 V or 4–20 mA output (optional accessory) enables integration into centralized building management systems (BMS) or SCADA platforms for supervisory monitoring. For audit-trail requirements in regulated labs, users may connect an external calibrated temperature logger (e.g., compliant with ASTM E2850 or ISO/IEC 17025) to the recirculation loop’s auxiliary sensor port. Julabo provides full traceable calibration certificates upon request (NIST-traceable reference sensors, uncertainty < ±0.15 °C at 25 °C), supporting 21 CFR Part 11–aligned validation protocols when paired with validated third-party software.

Applications

• Temperature stabilization of UV-Vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectrometers during extended spectral acquisition.
• Cooling of high-power diode lasers and solid-state amplifiers requiring tight thermal drift control (<0.05 °C/h).
• Condenser jacketing for rotary evaporation under reduced pressure to prevent solvent boil-over or bumping.
• Thermal regulation of electrophoresis power supplies, gel documentation systems, and PCR thermal cyclers with external cooling modules.
• Supporting cold-trap operation in vacuum manifold systems and cryo-milling precooling circuits.
• Process validation studies where independent, repeatable thermal conditioning is required outside of environmental chambers.

FAQ

What heat-transfer fluids are approved for use with the F500?
Deionized water, 10–50% aqueous ethylene or propylene glycol solutions, and Julabo-certified thermal oils (e.g., Julabo Therminol VP-1 equivalent) are compatible. Avoid chlorinated solvents, acetone, or low-surface-tension fluids that may degrade elastomeric seals.
Can the F500 operate unattended overnight?
Yes—the unit is rated for continuous duty and includes automatic shutdown on low-fluid detection, overtemperature, or compressor overload. Ensure ambient airflow around rear and top vents remains unobstructed.
Is the F500 suitable for cleanroom environments?
It meets ISO Class 8 (Class 100,000) particulate emission limits when operated with HEPA-filtered intake air; however, its acoustic output (≤62 dB[A]) may require acoustic shielding in noise-sensitive ISO 5 or 7 spaces.
How often should the refrigerant charge be verified?
Under normal operation and absence of visible oil residue or frost patterns on the evaporator, verification is recommended every 24 months per Julabo Service Bulletin SB-F500-REV3, using certified manifold gauges and electronic leak detection.
Does the F500 support external temperature feedback control?
Not natively—but optional analog input modules (Julabo Part No. 9620061) allow user-defined setpoints based on a remote PT100 sensor placed at the application load, enabling cascade control architectures.